Job Opportunity: Impact Researcher

The Constitution Unit is seeking to recruit a full-time Impact Researcher to maintain and develop the already substantial real-world impact of its research. This is currently a fixed-term position, with funding running until the end of July 2024 in the first instance. The salary will be at the UCL Research Assistant Grade 6B - £36,832 per annum.  

The Constitution Unit conducts timely, rigorous, independent research into constitutional change and the reform of political institutions. Major recent projects have included research into parliament’s role in the Brexit process, extensive public opinion work on attitudes to the post-Brexit constitution (including the hosting of a citizens’ assembly on UK democracy in 2021), and the organisation of a working group focusing on how any future referendums on Irish unification would best be conducted.  

In addition to producing research outputs the Unit organises regular events (including an annual summer conference) and has a popular blog and newsletter. Its senior staff are frequently consulted by policymakers and appear in national and international news media. The Unit also has a well-established social media presence. We work closely with other research organisations in the field. 

The successful candidate will work with our small team of researchers, our office manager and part-time blog editor, the UCL Press Office and the Unit’s external associates, to maintain communications about our work through a variety of channels.  

The post holder will work across all of our research topics, but particularly with the Constitutional Principles and the Health of Democracy project. They will have a particular focus on influencing real-world political developments as they occur, informing debates by publicising Unit outputs and research. They will manage the Unit’s social media strategy and impact-related aspects of the website, monitor political developments to identify dissemination opportunities, assist in gathering information to support such opportunities, and help draft occasional outputs. They will work closely with all Unit staff, and support collaborations with other research organisations.  

Your application should include a CV and cover letter and it will be assessed on how well you evidence the essential and desirable criteria in the person specification within the job description.  (By including a cover letter, you can leave blank the field 'Why you have applied for this role' in the application form.) 

Interviews for this role are likely to take place on either 6 or 11 October.  

For informal enquiries please contact the Constitution Unit Office Manager Edd Rowe (e.rowe@ucl.ac.uk)  

How to apply  

Please apply online via the UCL jobs page  

Further details are available here:  

Job Description and Person Specification 

Closing date: 24 September 2023  

Salary: UCL Grade 6B, £36,832 per annum including London allowance.